Launching New Castle County's Innovation District

Examples of the housing revitalization work along the Route 9 corridor are displayed.

Delaware Governor Jack Markell speaks to a standing room only crowd at the Route 9 Innovation District Launch at the Rose Hill Community Center.

Delaware Governor Jack Markell and New Castle County Executive Thomas P. Gordon launched the Route 9 Innovation District on January 14, 2015 before community residents and supporters gathered in the Rose Hill Community Center gymnasium.

The launch officially kicked off the County's initiative to revitalize the Route 9 Corridor with a state-of-the-art Innovation Center/Library serving as the anchor. The library will have books, a heavy presence of state-of-the-art technology and hardware to help both students and members of the community with academic research, job searches, and several other uses.

New Castle County Executive Gordon, Community Services General Manager Sophia Hanson, County Councilman Jea Street, County Council President Christopher A. Bullock, and several others have been working on the design of the library, estimated to cost $21 million. "Let me start by thanking the County Executive for bringing this all together," Gov. Markell said. "This is exciting on a number of levels. First of all, the vision itself is very compelling. The idea of the innovation district and really focusing on economic development, on housing, and innovation through the new, state-of-the-art library is a holistic vision for this community. That alone is worthy of real celebration."

County Executive Gordon in turn thanked Gov. Markell for his vision in establishing a forward thinking state in terms of technology.

"We have the largest broadband in the country," Gordon said. "It means we have the best ability to use technology that's already been paid for by the Governor. Everybody is going to be doing innovation centers. We're moving from books to readers, advanced computers, and smart phones."

HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds have been used to purchase foreclosed and abandoned properties and rehabilitate them in residential areas along the Route 9 corridor. New Castle County receives community planning and development funds for economic development, affordable housing and other eligible uses.

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